The mission of Emily Dickinson Elementary School is to enable learners to develop their intellectual, social, artistic and physical potential and to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to contribute to a healthy society.

Beliefs and Operating Principles

  1. The foundation of a quality education lies in acknowledging the "whole child." Children learn and demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.

  2. At Emily Dickinson parents and community are a welcome, integral and dynamic part of the educational process. Parents, staff, and community share responsibility for communication, encouragement and support for each other and for the learning of our students.

  3. At Emily Dickinson all children are important, precious, unique learners who continue to learn and grow in a rich, exciting, stimulating and wholesome environment.

  4. We appreciate the varied experiences, abilities, cultural backgrounds and learning styles that characterize the Emily Dickinson community. We are committed to drawing on each individual’s background, strengths and abilities to enhance the learning of all community members.

  5. At Emily Dickinson we demand that our curriculum be relevant to the interests and needs of the individuals within the community. Learning outcomes for students must be grounded in real life experiences.

  6. Emily Dickinson is a positive, caring learning community where it is safe for students, staff and parents to take risks, accept challenges and pursue their dreams.

  7. Choice is essential to learning. It creates ownership of one’s education. It requires involvement, responsibility and reflection. Our goal is to assist every member of the Emily Dickinson community to see learning as a life-long process and a joyful experience.

  8. Teachers must be viewed as more experienced learners; they hold the responsibility for establishing and maintaining a rich, vibrant environment in which learning flourishes, thoughtfulness is nurtured and enthusiasm reigns.

  9. Active learning creates an atmosphere in which collaboration, ownership and responsibility leads to a meaningful learning experience. Students become gatherers, discoverers, and creators of knowledge. Students are social learners. They teach each other and themselves and demonstrate their awareness of the connections between themselves and the world.

Dickinson’s Operating Principles

Sensitivity

  • We sincerely acknowledge and accept other’s feelings and styles

  • We approach innovation and variation in the spirit of open-mindedness

  • We recognize the importance of empathy

  • We anticipate the effects of our actions on others

  • We view issues, ideas and actions from multiple perspective

  • We view gentleness as a sign of strength

  • We are discreet in our handling of an individual’s personal issues

Honesty

  • We agree to be truthful, frank and open with all of our colleagues

  • We value sincerity in our interpersonal relationships

  • We agree to confront directly, in a caring manner, any individual with whom we have a complaint

  • We agree to use "I statements" when approaching one another with concerns

  • We recognize the importance of being sensitive to other’s feelings when being honest

Encouragement

  • We recognize the importance of celebrating our successes

  • We are sensitive and supportive of personal/professional difficulties

  • We offer help and follow through

  • We actively support individual initiative, both students and staff

  • We look for the "positive" in ourselves, each other, our students and in our community

  • We gain inspiration from our colleagues while providing the same to those with whom we associate

  • We promote a nurturing environment for all staff

  • We recognize the necessity of encouraging and supporting people to reach their potential

Respect

  • We are considerate and accepting of differences of those with whom we work

  • We practice the "Golden Rule"

  • We treat each other politely

  • We adhere to high standards of integrity (integrity=soundness of moral character)

  • We trust each other and strive to be trustworthy

  • We value and practice fairness within our roles as decision-makers

  • We practice active, reflective listening with one another

Collaboration,  Cooperation & Support

  • We value working together

  • We recognize the importance and necessity of offering to share ideas, materials and resources

  • We practice negotiation and compromise when reaching decisions

  • We understand and appreciate our   interdependence

  • We encourage each other to pursue personal beliefs and desires even when we may disagree

  • We provide strong active support when someone wants to try something new or different

  • We "Go the extra mile" to help others

Humor

  • We find joy in our work

  • We value having fun

  • We recognize the value of sharing funny stories

  • We encourage each other to laugh at oneself, smile, giggle and to be silly

  • We recognize the power of humor to heal and release stress

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